Zephrun’s Imperium

“‘Livia. But they put her away; she won’t bother me no more, nor nob’dy else.”

"Well... I was stabbed, so.. Abou' as well as one can be after an ordeal loike tha'."

"'ow ya doin', my li'le miss?"

Nico set aside his bowl of soup - his lunch for the day - and grinned right back. "Miss 'bella!"

"He is." She opened the door wider and gestured for Arabella to follow.

A nurse opened the door and looked down. "Oh. Hello there, little one. Are you visiting someone?"

Welp, I'm late again with posting... I'll be honest, these last two weeks have been incredibly hard for me, and I've been arting like crazy during it all. Working on the Creator Games, my Praetorium Poster, AND Inktober as well. So I think I'll shove all Inktober stuff back a day. I highly doubt I can spit out a piece of art for tomorrow. Not to say I won't try, but, well, you know how things are. So, without further ado, here's Prompt 8: Watch, featuring Pearl Blaze and Topaz Celeste. Topaz is an Ignitis made of stone and was created to serve Star as her daughter's nurse. He usually stays about 3'8'', but can unfold his rock body to be about 8 feet at most. Ya know, just in case he needs to clean the top shelf. I really don't RP with Topaz nearly enough. He's a fun character, although he would agree a poor replacement for Ember, his sister.

I think that sounds like a great name!

Prompt 7: Fan, featuring Rose from Oakenwey. With a fan! So sorry this one is late! I'll post the next one tomorrow on time. I had a TON of fun drawing this one. Rose is probably my most broken character and I just love her so much. She has severe anxiety which I relate to. Plus her power set of future sight and telekinesis is just epic. This particular drawing is a scene from the RP Oakenwey that was actually never written, but it's still definitely CBST canon.

OMS, did you make that, Xino?

Right, but it would be more fair for other people.

I know I would appreciate it if the entries were anonymous and we all sent our stuff to Xino via PM

“Of course. But choose your words carefully from now on.” Fischer narrowed his eyes at her before hesitantly sitting back down. "Oh, cheer up, dear. You're alive to protect me and that's what really matters." "You could make this easier, you know." "By doing what, pray tell?" "The general did suggest not talking with me." “But I’m so bored!” she complained. Fischer tilted his head, "you don't like silence or something?" "I just don't want to pass up the opportunity to get to know someone... normal." "Uh huh." Fischer leaned back into his chair. "I guess it's not every day you get to learn about the Ravenness." "And it's not every day I get to interact with someone who isn't my husband and isn't strapped to a table." "Thanks, I guess." "Of course." She tapped her fingers against the table nervously. "I... I'm sorry your friend won't last. I wish I could do more." Fischer paused, "there's nothing more you can do?" "He should be dead now, but the potion will keep him alive for a few more days." "Is there-" He shook his head before turning away from Riva. "I . . . See." "I made light of it earlier, but I really do appreciate being saved. No one has ever cared enough to protect me before." Fischer forced himself to take in a deep breath. "He's really going to die," he stated as if he couldn't believe it. "Yes. People are quite good at doing that." "Don't you feel bad about it?" She shrugged. "I just told you; I really do appreciate being saved." "But you caused death. People love and care for that man, and he loves and cares for others. All of a sudden, he won't be there for them." "Son, I've caused more pain than anyone you've ever met in my century of life. Forgive me if I'm a little numb." Fischer sighed, "you're a strange person, Mrs Riva." "Oh, I'm perfectly aware, trust me." "What will you do, if you can't save him?" "'If.'" She scoffed at the word. "There is no if. He will die." "Right..." "Do you, perhaps, need a... hug?" Riva picked at her nails, shoulders towards her ears. She did NOT want to hug him. Fischer coughed suddenly. "Excuse me, what?" "People like hugs. Apparently." "I know what hugs are, I just didn't expect you to say . . . That." She shrugged awkwardly. Fischer looked away, clearing his throat. "Are you uh, still offering?" She blushed. "Yes?" Fischer stood up. "Then I would be honored to accept." "Oh." She bit her lip, disappointed. But she did get up out of her seat and outstretch her arms. Fischer stepped forward and gripped her tightly, using the motion to hide the burning tears that came. "Thank you," he whispered. She opened her mouth, then closed it like a fish. "You're... welcome?" She patted his muscular back with her thin fingers. Was this what motherhood felt like? Fischer held on for a moment longer before hesitantly stepping away. "You're not what I expected for the Raveness, ma'am." "Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "What did you expect?" "Uh, not someone offering me a hug, for sure." "Just an experiment," she mumbled. "Touching people..." Fischer nodded, "whatever you say, ma'am."

Prompt 6: Spirit, featuring Caden and Riva from Masquerade in a High School AU. Okay. It works because it's a high school. School spirit anyone? Eh? Yeah, I know it's a stretch, although later drawings will be more of a stretch... I've been meaning to draw Riva and Caden in the HSAU for forever, so I'm so glad I finally got to do it, even in black and white. Not that goth Riva would look much different in color. Sorry I posted this one so late! I've had a hard last few days... PS Please ignore Caden's hand. I can't stand it

Riva applauded uproariously. “Oh, very to the point! I love it!” She giggled - although from her withered wind pipes, out of her sunken face, it was more of a cackle. “Im doing this because you’re very cute, love. And fascinating. I am more than aware that my husband is not a normal human male specimen.” Fischer furrowed his brow, certain General Praetorium's wife was trying to make advances on him. "What's wrong with the general?" “Oh, nothing! He’s just…. More extraordinary than you. Taller, more muscular. A little slow in the head, yes, but…. My point it, you’re more…. Average.” "Average." Fischer shook his head, "I can tell you that I'm definitely not average, ma'am Ravenness." “And why is that?” Riva dipped a quill in some ink to take notes. “You seem awfully average to me.” Fischer opened his mouth before biting his tongue. "Uh, I mean that I'm the youngest ever to be accepted into the general's guard." “Oooo impressive.” "Yes, thank you." “Of course…” she scribbled some words down. “Do tell me more about you.” "I-" He paused. "Are you writing this stuff down?" “I am.” "Why the blazes would you do that?" “It is as I said. I’m not around normal humans often." "Well, you said you wanted a normal conversation, right?" Fischer stepped forward, forgetting that she was the Ravenness to peek over her shoulder. "Because that's not something people do in normal conversations." "I... I may take notes." She glared at him. "You can't forbid me. I simply want to learn more." "Of course not," he said while lifting his hands defensively. "I just meant that normally people make more eye contact to show that they're paying attention." Riva locked eyes with him. Fischer returned the stare just as intently for a moment before blinking and shaking his head. "No, not like that." "Bah, never mind." "I just said more eye contact," he reiterated in a defensive tone. "But I'm taking notes!" She gestured at the paper. Then, she stomped her foot and crumpled the thing up, tossing it aside. "Oh, what do I care, I can take notes on you later."

She sighed. “No one thinks I’m funny. But I don’t blame them. Hard to find someone funny when you’re strapped to a table under their knife.”

“Oh!” She put a hand to her breast. “Silly me.”

Riva smiled at that, but the expression was too cold to be friendly, as if she hadn't enough interaction with warmth of any kind. "Oh, please. You wrapped up my hand, dear, but that hardly makes you my friend."

Riva pouted. “Oh, you’re no fun. No fun at all. I doubt you have any friends, with that attitude.”